Temporary, semi-permanent and permanent buildings

Often, although the route depends on the site, use and intended duration.

In England, permitted development rights allow some temporary uses of land for a limited number of days in a calendar year. The commonly cited 28-day allowance varies by use and does not apply to land within the curtilage of an existing building, so it is not a reliable assumption for most commercial sites.

Where full permission is required, a relocatable building may be approved for a fixed period. Existing industrial and commercial sites can present a clearer case than greenfield locations, but every application is assessed on its own circumstances.

We can introduce a specialist planning consultant with experience in temporary and relocatable buildings across the UK.

The rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and interpretation varies between local authorities. Always confirm your specific situation with your local planning authority before ordering. This is general guidance, not planning advice.

Cost is shaped by the building dimensions, specification, site conditions and the commercial terms.

Span and length affect the frame. Width has a greater effect on the engineering, while length is added in repeated bays. It is therefore important to plan the usable layout before confirming the dimensions.

The specification can change the total substantially. Insulation, doors, glazing, guttering and lighting all need to be considered. Buildings do not include a floor: the existing ground surface forms the floor, subject to suitability, and any necessary groundworks need to be arranged separately. Sports flooring can be included for sports projects. We set out the assumptions and exclusions so quotations can be compared on the same basis.

Hire rates and initial delivery and installation charges are confirmed for the selected system and duration.

The programme is confirmed for each project and includes more than the time spent erecting the frame.

Survey information, structural design, manufacture, groundworks, delivery access, lifting arrangements, services and planning can all affect the start date. A suitable level, load-bearing base must be ready before installation begins.

If you are working to a fixed deadline, include it in the initial brief. We will build the proposed sequence around it and identify any dependencies that could affect delivery.

The choice depends on the expected duration, how certain that timescale is and whether you want to retain the building as an asset.

Hire can suit flexible or fixed-term requirements. The agreed rate, maintenance responsibilities and end-of-term arrangements are set out in the quotation.

Purchase can suit established requirements. It gives you ownership of the building and, depending on the system and future site, options to extend, relocate or sell it.

Where both routes are available, we price them against the same brief. Any option to change from hire to purchase is confirmed in the commercial terms.

There is no single duration. “Temporary” describes the customer’s intended use, while the appropriate building system depends on the site, loadings, specification and planning position.

The design life, warranty and maintenance requirements for the selected system are confirmed with the quotation. Planning consent may also limit how long the building can remain in place.

Regular inspection and maintenance are essential. Gutters, cladding, doors and fixings should be checked in line with the manufacturer’s guidance and after severe weather or site damage.

Yes, when the building is specified for regular occupation.

Single-skin cladding can be suitable for weatherproof storage and covered operations, but it offers limited thermal performance. Buildings used by people for extended periods need the appropriate insulation, heating, ventilation and condensation control.

Tell us how the space will be occupied at enquiry stage. It is far easier to design the right internal environment from the outset than to retrofit it later.